"The real battle begins now," the Undead King said as he took his stance.

Reiji also gripped his weapons tightly as he took his stance. They both stared at each other for a long while, the air growing thick with anticipation.

Even the Velsra held its breath and didn’t blink. It felt that if it blinked, it would definitely miss the fight. Though it couldn’t clearly see their movements, their afterimages were enough for it.

BOOOM!

They both rushed at each other.

CLANG!

Their weapons met with a loud sound that vibrated through their bones, making both of them stumble backwards. But mid-stumble, they both charged back with a barrage of attacks.

Their figures flashed throughout the cave, leaving flying rocks and dust in their wake.

The Velsra’s eyes widened in disbelief as its mouth hung open wide enough to fit an entire egg. It was shocked beyond words.

"This is definitely the fight of the decade."

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Reiji was impressed the more he fought. Despite him wielding the Soul Torture Blade and the Knight Sword while using the Sword Dancer skill, the Undead King was still blocking his attacks and sending his own at him.

He was definitely a skilled fighter and no ordinary undead skeleton.

The Undead King could feel Reiji putting more force into his strikes and was also surprised. He thought that was all the human could do, but clearly he was wrong, and this made him even more excited.

He could tell that Reiji wasn’t skilled with the dagger from the way he fought, but the sword made up for the lack of skill with the dagger, which both intrigued and pleased the Undead King. ’A worthy opponent indeed.’

Ding!

[Skill: Mana Manipulation has met the required conditions and leveled up to LV1]

[Skill: Sword Dancer has met the required conditions and leveled up to LV1]

Reiji immediately noticed the difference.

The Knight Sword felt lighter in his hand, almost as if it had become an extension of his arm. Every movement flowed naturally into the next without the slightest bit of resistance.

CLANG!

The Undead King’s blade crashed against his own, but this time Reiji didn’t struggle to redirect the force.

He twisted his wrist and deflected the strike before slashing back.

The Undead King blocked it. Then another strike came, and another, and another. It continued like that, and the exchange grew faster.

The Velsra’s eyes darted wildly between their afterimages as it tried to follow the battle. One moment the two were near the waterfall. The next they were at the center of the cavern. Then suddenly above a pile of broken stone.

It couldn’t understand how the human had suddenly become stronger. No, not stronger, but more precise. And every attack seemed cleaner than before.

Reiji naturally noticed it as well.

’So this is what Sword Dancer Level 1 feels like?’

Though the skill leveling up didn’t increase his strength; rather, it improved his control.

The difference was subtle, but in a fight against an opponent like the Undead King, even a slight improvement could decide life or death.

CLANG!

Another exchange sent sparks flying. The Undead King stepped back slightly. For the first time since the battle began, Reiji noticed something.

The skeleton had been pushed back, though it was only half a step, but it was enough to make Reiji feel he could win once again.

The Undead King’s crimson eyes flickered.

’Amazing.’

The human was adapting in the middle of battle. It had witnessed many warriors in its lifetime, yet very few possessed such frightening growth.

If given enough time, this human could...

The thought caused the skeleton to tighten its grip on its sword.

’No. This battle needed to end soon.’ The Undead King said inwardly as it stared at the human in front of him.

"You are full of surprises, Human. And your growth is absurd. You’re a worthy opponent, so I won’t hold back." The Undead King tightened his grip around the sword as he took his stance. "Don’t let me down, Human," the Undead King said as its hollow crimson eyes burned brightly and its aura intensified.

"A Thousand Slashes In One!"

The Undead King called out as he vanished from where he stood.

’Shit! It’s a skill! How the hell is he able to use a skill?!’

Before Reiji could react, the Undead King suddenly appeared right in front of him and swung its long bone sword at him, sending him barreling through the air and into a pillar.

BOOM!

The impact made Reiji coughed up blood as he fell to the ground, dust and debris flying everywhere.

"Do not disappoint me now, Human," the Undead King sounded slightly annoyed as he walked toward the rubble where Reiji lay.

"Argh!" Reiji gritted his teeth through the pain as he struggled to his feet.

The Undead King’s face somehow showed a wicked smile despite being nothing more than a skull. "Excellent."

They both stared at each other before charging once more.

The Velsra, who was hiding behind a rock near the waterfall, was surprised, shocked, and thrilled. Its blood was pumping as it watched the fight. It felt as if it could jump in and defeat both His Majesty and the creature.

BOOOM!

’Fuck!!!’

The Velsra yelled as it wrapped its body around itself, protecting its vitals from the flying rocks. Reiji and the Undead King had suddenly reached its side, and the collision of their weapons sent out a powerful shockwave that caused the ground around them to explode.

’No, these are monsters. I definitely can’t solo them. Why did I even think such a thing?’ The Velsra said inwardly as it abandoned all previous thoughts brought on by the excitement of watching the fight. It decided to continue watching instead of thinking such stupid and impossible things.

"A Thousand Slashes In One."

The Undead King vanished from where he stood. This time Reiji didn’t freak out and actually tried to track when the King would strike.

BOOM!

But he was knocked flying and crashed into the wall. Reiji gritted his teeth as he stood up once again.

"Let’s see how long you’ll last. A Thousand Slashes In One!"

CLAANRRG!

Reiji this time was almost able to block the attack, but the force knocked him back.

"Argh!"

Reiji stood up once again.

A flicker of surprise crossed the Undead King’s hollow crimson eyes.

’It seems that with every strike his will is getting stronger. This is more reason I should end this fight now.’ The Undead King thought silently as he took his stance. He was more serious this time.

"A Thousand Slashes In One!"

’Now!!’

Reiji yelled inwardly as he raised both his weapons.

CLAANNGG!

Their weapons collided. The Undead King was genuinely astonished this time that the human was able to block his attack.

"You actually blocked it."

"I mean it was hard at first to time you, but you know what they say, third time’s the charm." Reiji said smugly.

The Undead King suddenly leaped backwards as it stared at Reiji.

"A truly interesting human. Thank you for the fight, but sadly I must end it now." The Undead King’s voice suddenly grew serious, and his tone caught Reiji off guard.

The human had adapted to his technique. If he delayed any longer, the battle’s outcome might become uncertain.

"Forbidden Arts... Soul Rapture."

The Undead King raised its long bone sword up, and instantly a dark menacing aura swirled around the blade. It gave off a terrible feeling that sent a cold chill down Reiji’s spine. He could feel that whatever was coming next definitely wasn’t something good. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Just as Reiji was about to move, a bone hand shot out from the ground and grabbed both his legs firmly.

"I’m sorry, but you aren’t allowed to leave. Be proud, for your battle with me will forever be in my heart..."

Reiji stared at the skeleton in front of him and asked, "Your heart?"

"My memories." The Undead King said, a little embarrassed. "Ahem. Anyways, farewell, Human."

The blade of the long bone sword completely turned black, and he swung the sword. Instantly, a black flame shot forward.

’It’s too late, system!!!’

VOOM!

The black flame instantly engulfed Reiji.